Skip to content
Maurizio Sarri has said his side would welcome a gay footballer.

Despite 2-game ban for homophobic slurs, Napoli manager says he would welcome a gay footballer

Maurizio Sarri apologised again for his use of two homophobic terms when talking to Roberto Mancini.

NAPOLI COACH MAURIZIO Sarri said there would be “no problems” if a gay footballer was to play for the Serie A outfit.

Sarri was accused of making homophobic comments towards Inter coach Roberto Mancini a fortnight ago, of which he was found guilty and given a two-game suspension.

Mancini alleged Sarri had used Italian homophobic slurs “frocio” and “finocchio” towards him during the Coppa Italia semi-final between the two sides.

However, Sarri has explained that he was referring to the way Mancini was being a “show off” with the way he was dressed.

“I wanted to use the term ‘Fighetto’ – show-off – not something to do with sexual preference. The truth is, I am a proper Tuscan and I tend to swear a lot. I was wrong, I admit it,” he told magazine Chi.

Sarri also hoped gay footballers would not be deterred to come out because of the incident.

“There are no gays in football? No. There were, there are, and there always will be,” he said.

“I hope this whole incident, born badly and ended well, can help people move forward and come out into the open.

“At least at Napoli, there would be no problems with it.”

A goal-of-the-season contender from Jamie Vardy secures Leicester win over Liverpool

Van Gaal delighted with upturn in Wayne Rooney’s form

Author
View 4 comments
Close
4 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    May 5th 2012, 11:29 AM

    In JBM we trust! Corcaigh Abu!

    27
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.